Getting a student loan refund

DocQuincy

I pay self-assessment and after making my last payment in Jan 2021 I am now in credit on my student loan and would like a refund. I have online accounts for both and there are no options to request a refund with either.

I won't go into the details but I have given up trying to get a reply from HMRC and SLC. It's not a huge amount so don't want to waste any more time on it.

1. If I do nothing will they (HMRC or SLC) eventually issue me a refund?

2. If yes to 1, when will this happen?

Thanks.

molerat

Maybe, maybe not.  They did trial an automatic refund scheme last year but they will most likely contact you by letter inviting you to contact them to arrange the refund. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/student-loan-overpayment-refund/

DocQuincy

Thanks for the info and the link. It recommends ringing or tweeting SLC, both of which I've done. SLC sent me to HMRC and HMRC tried sending me back to SLC. I'll just wait for the the letter you mention for now.

Thanks.

N_Behdoze

This is an interesting topic.

Maybe I am missing something from the SLC site, but I find it interesting that SLC does not let you see payment information such as incoming payments, overpayments, potential refunds etc. - only the final outstanding balance owed.

Much like this issue of the refund from an overpayment, you would think they would display the transaction history, just like you would expect on any other financial product (e.g. commercial loans).

I did some Googling and it seems this topic doesn't return that many results. Looking back through all my correspondence I don't recall seeing any transaction history. Only the final balance from SLC.

Good luck with your refund @DocQuincy - I would be interested to know if you get it or not, or if they just try to pass you back 'n forth between organisations. When I have contacted SLC in the past they have never seemed very helpful at all.

DocQuincy

Thanks @N_Behdoze, I will post back if there are any updates but not only are they not particularly helpful (SLC and HMRC), they move at very slow pace.

Given the whole system is digital — from the original payment to both the SLC and HMRC accounts (both run via gov.uk) — it beggars belief that it is not more automated and efficient.